Climate Defenders Australia

05/06/2026

This World Environment Day we are grateful for the defenders who stand up to protect the natural environment. We are proud to stand with you ✊🌏

27/05/2026

On World Environment Day (June 5) our Executive Director, Julia will be joining a lunchtime online gathering with some brilliant people doing climate work across Australia. If that sounds like your kind of thing, come along – we’d love to have you. Link in bio to register! 🌏🌳

07/05/2026

20/04/2026

Our Executive Director Julia spoke to Honi Soit about the recent unanimous Court of Appeal decision that overturned an anti-protest law.

CDA welcomes this decision and continues to work towards a future where peaceful protesters can assemble freely.

12/03/2026

The CDA team had a big week hosting two panels at caw.syd

Thank you to everyone who joined us to discuss the role of protest and learn about the legal tactics that are being used to threaten and intimidate climate advocates and businesses.

09/02/2026

The CDA team is very concerned by the conduct of police at peaceful protests around the country, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

If you are one of our existing clients and need assistance, please reach out to us and we will provide you with support and/or appropriate warm referrals to others who can help.

16/01/2026

New year, new you, new job? Applications to join the CDA team as a solicitor or senior solicitor close on Monday!

15/01/2026

Spotlight on one of CDA's clients: Just two months after protesting at the Rising Tide Blockade, Anna was evacuated from her home this week due to the Victorian bushfires.

For climate defenders like Anna, their activism isn't in service of a far-off future - it's about the climate crisis they are experiencing today. CDA is supporting Anna, and others like her, making sure non-violent environmental activists have access to the legal representation they deserve.

21/12/2025

CDA is also taking a well earned break and will be closed from 24 December 2025 and re-open on 5 January 2026. We will not have solicitors on call during this time and we will not be responding to our emails. Thank you for your understanding.

During this time, if you are looking for urgent criminal law advice, you can contact Legal Aid in your state or territory:

• in NSW, Law Access – 1300 888 529
• in Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid – 1300 792 387
• in Queensland, Legal Aid Queensland – 1300 651 188
• in South Australia, Legal Services Commission South Australia – 1300 366 424
• in Western Australia, Legal Aid Western Australia – 1300 650 579
• in Tasmania, Tasmania Legal Aid – 1300 366 611
• in the Northern Territory, Legal Aid NT – 1800 019 343
• in the Australian Capital Territory, Legal Aid ACT - 1300 654 314.

To find your nearest community legal centre, contact Community Legal Centres Australia on (02) 9160 9500 or visit clcs.org.au/legal-help/.

15/12/2025

Are you a confident and calm criminal law practitioner passionate about human rights and climate justice? Are you at ease on your feet in court, able to comfortably conduct criminal matters in the Local and District Court and instruct counsel in superior courts? Do you thrive in an autonomous and varied environment where your day could start with giving quick oral advice to a climate defender, and finish conducting an appeal over excessive sentences? Then Climate Defenders Australia (CDA) wants to hear from you.

CDA is a close-knit team of 6 staff working from the Greenhouse Tech Hub in Sydney's CBD. We are open to both solicitor and senior solicitor level applicants - we're focused on finding the best cultural fit and a broad range of skills and experience rather than just certain number of years PQE in court.

You can apply via ethical jobs - full link in the comments